Focused and extremely heavy,
Destroy the Machines represented a huge leap forward in the recording career of
Earth Crisis. Released in 1995, this full-length debut from the band is the all-time best-selling disc in the Victory Records catalog, and with good reason. After recording a few successful but relatively tame 7" EPs,
Earth Crisis really shook the world of hardcore with this punchy collection of metallic straight edge fury. Displaying a rare talent for the development of original yet supremely heavy riffs, the men of
Earth Crisis brought a musical directness to
Destroy the Machines that easily matches their politically volatile lyrics. Standout cuts include "Forced March," "The Discipline," and "Inherit the Wasteland" that, like the rest of this disc, burn with resentment directed at those who (in the estimation of vocalist Karl Buechner) bring contamination and death to the earth and the defenseless creatures that reside on it. It's hard to think that there are many hardcore fans who don't own this recording, but any listener who leans toward that side of the metal spectrum should definitely consider purchasing this record at the earliest possible opportunity. ~ Vincent Jeffries